Psychodynamic therapy for anxiety, relationships, and LGBTQ+ adults in Lafayette, CA
Life doesn’t look or feel the way you wish it did.
You thought things would be different by now. But the anxiety persists, relationships still feel complicated, and you’re not sure why certain patterns keep repeating. Maybe you find yourself overthinking conversations, struggling to feel fully understood, or carrying a constant sense that something isn’t quite right.
On the outside, you may appear put together. Internally, though, you feel emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in ways you can’t fully explain. You’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand yourself, but insight alone hasn’t created the shift you’re looking for.
You’re ready for something deeper. A space to slow down, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and begin creating more meaningful and lasting change.
-
No matter what you do, the worry is always there. You replay conversations, anticipate what might go wrong, and struggle to quiet your mind even when things seem okay on the surface. You're tired of constantly managing everything on your own and wondering why it still feels so hard to fully relax.
-
You want meaningful, connected relationships, but something keeps getting in the way. Maybe the same conflicts keep repeating, you struggle to express your needs, or you feel anxious, disconnected, or unseen in close relationships. Part of you longs for deeper connection, while another part worries about getting hurt, rejected, or losing yourself entirely.
-
Whether you're navigating identity, relationships, family dynamics, or the emotional weight of moving through a world that doesn't always feel affirming, you want a space where all of who you are is welcome. You may be carrying experiences of shame, invisibility, or feeling misunderstood, even while trying to build a life that feels authentic and fully your own
I’m Dr. Erin Carpenter (she/her).
I believe therapy can help you create the life you want.
I'm a licensed psychologist working with adults in California and New York. My approach is psychodynamic, which means we explore the deeper patterns shaping your life so you can build self-awareness, heal old wounds, and create lasting change.
I work with adults navigating anxiety and relationship challenges. Many of my clients are self-aware, yet still feel emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in painful patterns they can’t seem to move beyond. I also specialize in LGBTQ+ issues, whether that’s the focus of your work or you’re looking for an affirming therapist who understands the complexity of identity, relationships, and belonging.
My style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful therapy happens within the context of a genuine therapeutic relationship. Therapy with me offers us a chance to slow down, make sense of what you’re going through, and build a path forward that feels authentic to who you are. Together, we'll work toward helping you feel more connected to yourself, more secure in your relationships, and more able to move through life with clarity and self-trust.
How I can help
I specialize in therapy for lasting change.
-
Anxiety can make it difficult to feel present, grounded, or fully at ease in your life. You may find yourself constantly overthinking, anticipating what could go wrong, or struggling to quiet your mind even when things appear fine on the surface. Over time, this can become emotionally exhausting and leave you feeling disconnected from yourself and others.
Together, we'll explore the deeper emotional patterns beneath the anxiety, including the ways past experiences, relationships, and internal pressures may continue to shape how you move through the world today. Therapy can help you develop greater self-understanding, emotional clarity, and a stronger sense of trust in yourself so you can begin to feel more calm, connected, and free.
-
Our relationships often reflect patterns shaped long before we're fully aware of them. You may notice yourself repeating the same dynamics, struggling to communicate your needs, fearing rejection or abandonment, or feeling disconnected even in close relationships. These experiences can leave you feeling frustrated, lonely, or unsure how to create the kind of connection you truly want.
Therapy can help you better understand the emotional and relational patterns underlying these experiences so you can begin relating to yourself and others differently. Together, we'll work toward building relationships that feel more secure, authentic, emotionally fulfilling, and grounded in a stronger sense of self.
-
Therapy can offer a space to explore identity, relationships, family experiences, and the emotional impact of living in environments that may not have always felt affirming or emotionally safe. Many LGBTQ+ adults carry experiences of shame, invisibility, rejection, or feeling misunderstood, even while outwardly appearing confident or self-aware.
Our work together can help you process these experiences with greater compassion and understanding while creating space for all parts of who you are. Therapy can support you in building deeper self-acceptance, more authentic relationships, and a life that feels more connected, grounded, and aligned with your values and identity.
How it works
Life is stressful enough right now. Let me make this part simple.
Click this link to schedule a free, confidential phone consultation. We'll talk about what's bringing you to therapy and whether we're a good fit to work together.